online exercises for direct and indirect speech

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise

Turn the following sentences into indirect speech.

1. John said, ‘I am very busy now.’ 2. He said, ‘The horse has been fed.’ 3. ‘I know her name and address,’ said John. 4. ‘German is easy to learn,’ she said. 5. He said, ‘I am writing letters.’ 6. ‘It is too late to go out,’ Alice said. 7. He said to me, ‘I don’t believe you.’ 8. He says, ‘I am glad to be here this evening.’ 9. He said to me, ‘What are you doing?’ 10. ‘Where is the post office?’ asked the stranger. 11. He said, ‘Will you listen to me?’ 12. John said to Peter, ‘Go away.’ 13. She said to me, ‘Please wait here till I return.’ 14. ‘Call the witness,’ said the judge. 15. The speaker said, ‘Be quiet and listen to my words.’

1. John said that he was very busy then. 2. He said that the horse had been fed. 3. John said that he knew/knows her name and address. (Note that the tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth.) 4. She said that German is/was easy to learn. 5. He said that he was writing letters. 6. Alice said that it was too late to go out. 7. He told me that he didn’t believe me. OR He said he didn’t believe me. 8. He says that he is glad to be here this evening. (When the reporting verb is in the present tense, adverbs of time and place do not normally change in indirect speech.) 9. He asked me what I was doing. 10. The stranger asked where the post office is/was. 11. He asked me if I would listen to him. 12. John ordered Peter to go away. 13. She asked me to wait there till she returned. 14. The judge commanded them to call the first witness. 15. He urged them to be quiet and listen to them.

online exercises for direct and indirect speech

Search Articles

Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Challenge yourself with our engaging Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test. Test your grammar prowess, enhance your reporting skills, and elevate your language abilities today!

Welcome to our dynamic online quiz designed to put your knowledge of direct and indirect speech to the test. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or a student looking to sharpen your grammar skills, this interactive quiz offers an opportunity to explore the nuances of reporting speech accurately.

Through a series of questions and scenarios, you’ll navigate the world of transforming spoken words into written form, honing your language expertise along the way.

How It Works:

Our online quiz consists of 30 carefully crafted questions that cover various aspects of direct and indirect speech. Read each question and select the most appropriate answer from the provided choices. Once you complete the quiz, you’ll receive immediate feedback on your performance, allowing you to identify areas where you excel and areas where you can further improve.

Quiz: Exploring Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Direct Indirect Speech Quiz

Test your knowledge yourself with our engaging online quiz on direct and indirect speech.

"Tom said, 'Are you coming to the party?'"

"Mom said, 'Clean your room.'"

"She said that she will finish the project yesterday."

We said, ‘Let him tell the story’’ (Fill in the blanks)

He asked, ‘Do I have to do it?’ (Choose the Correct option)

‘Where is my umbrella?’, He asked. (Fill in the blanks)

He asked __________________

She said, ‘If I were a bird!’ ( Choose the Correct option)

Mother said to me, ‘Please tidy the room’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mother __________ me ______ tidy the room.

"She exclaimed, 'What a beautiful painting!'"

He said to me, ‘Happy Christmas’ (Choose the Correct option)

He said, ‘What is your problem?’ (Fill in the blanks)

He asked ____________________

Mother said to me, ‘May God bless you.’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mother ___________ that God __________

He said to me, ‘I shall play football’ (Choose the Correct option)

Mum said,” I am angry with you.’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mum said that she ___________ angry with me.

"John said, 'I will attend the meeting tomorrow.'"

He said, ‘Let us keep quiet in this matter.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ________ that we ___________ quiet in this matter.

The teacher said to me,’ You must do your homework every day.’ (Fill in the blanks)

The teacher __________ me that _________ must do my homework every day.

"Teacher said, 'Open your textbooks at page 50.'"

‘Are you weeping?’, he asked her.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ____________ her _________

Sangeeta said, ‘I went to bed early last night (Fill in the blanks)

Sangeeta said that ___________ to bed early the night before.

I said to the man, ‘Who are you?’ (Choose the Correct option)

"David asked, 'Why did you arrive late?'"

He said to me, ‘Please Open the door’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ____________ me _________ open the door.

He said, ‘I bought a pen yesterday.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He said __________ he _______ a pen the previous day.

He whispered, 'It's a secret.'"

Diya said to Maya, ‘I am going to the park now’ (Fill in the blanks)

Diya __________ Maya______ going to the park then.

"Mary said, 'I love this song.' She told me that she liked the song."

He said, ‘Good-bye, my friends’ (Choose the Correct option)

He said to them, ‘How are you?’’ (Choose the Correct option)

"Lucy said, 'I will be studying all night.'"

Your score is

The average score is 62%

Restart quiz

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Q: how does the online quiz work.

A: The online quiz consists of 10 questions related to direct and indirect speech. Select the correct answers and receive immediate feedback on your performance.

Q: Is the quiz suitable for beginners?

A: Yes, the quiz is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to those seeking to refine their grammar skills.

Q: How long does the quiz take to complete?

A: The quiz can be completed in a short span of time, typically within 10-15 minutes.

Q: Is there a time limit for each question?

A: No, there is no time limit. You can take your time to read and answer each question.

Q: Can I retake the quiz?

A: Absolutely! You can retake the quiz as many times as you’d like to reinforce your understanding of direct and indirect speech.

Conclusion:

Congratulations on completing our interactive direct and indirect speech quiz! By engaging in this online test, you’ve embarked on a journey to refine your language skills and elevate your understanding of reporting speech. Remember, effective communication relies on the accurate use of direct and indirect speech, and your efforts to master this aspect of grammar will undoubtedly enhance your written and spoken expressions.

19 Direct and Indirect Speech Rules Examples (Updated)

Direct vs. Indirect Speech Quiz

Preview 20 Quizzes about Direct vs. Indirect Speech

She said to me, ” I can sleep alone.”

A. She said to me that she can sleep alone.” B. She told me that she can sleep alone.” C. She said to me that she could sleep alone.” D. She told me that she could sleep alone.”

Mary says, ” I am coming here.”

A. Mary says that she is coming there. B. Mary says that she is coming here. C. Mary says that she was coming there. D. Mary says that she was coming here.

John said, ” My friend may come tonight.”

A. John said that his friend might come tonight. B. John said that his friend might come that night. C. John said that his friend might go that night. D. John said that his friend might go tonight.

He said, ” I am a man.”

A. He said that he was a man. B. He said that he is a man. C. He said that I am a man. D. He said that I was a man.

He said, ” I went to school yesterday.”

A. He said that he had gone to school yesterday. B. He said that he had gone to school the day after. C. He said that he had gone to school the previous day. D. He said that he had gone to school the next day.

Nan said, ” I have finished my homework.”

A. Nan said that she had finished her homework.” B. Nan said that she had finished my homework.” C. Nan said that she has finished her homework.” D. Nan said that she has finished my homework.”

June said,” It is my car.”

A. June said that it is my car B. June said that it is her car. C. June said that it was my car D. June said that it was her car

Jim said,” I work here everyday.”

A. Jim said that he worked here yesterday.” B. Jim said that he worked there everyday.” C. Jim said that he worked here everyday.” D. Jim said that he worked everyday.”

He said to me, ” I must win this game.”

A. He told me that he must win this game. B. He told me that he had to win that game. C. He told me that he had to win this game. D. He told me that he must win that game.

How to use : Read the question carefully, then select one of the answers button.

Tips : If this page always shows the same questions, make sure you correct the question first by pressing the "check answer" button.

GrammarQuiz.Net - Improve your knowledge of English grammar, the best way to kill your free time.

Direct And Indirect Speech Quiz: Test Your Skills

Are you eager to assess your English grammar proficiency in an enjoyable manner? Dive into this Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz to gauge your knowledge of these two forms of reported speech. Reporting speech involves conveying someone else's words, and it can be done in two primary ways: direct and indirect speech. In direct speech, you repeat the speaker's words verbatim. In contrast, indirect speech conveys the speaker's message without using their exact words. This quiz presents an engaging opportunity to test your understanding of these concepts and improve your grammatical skills. By participating in this quiz, you Read more can enhance your grasp of the nuances between direct and indirect speech, which is essential for effective communication and writing. So, are you ready for the challenge? Let's embark on this educational journey and see how well you can navigate the intricacies of reported speech. Best of luck!

Direct And Indirect Speech Questions and Answers

What would the indirect speech be: maria said, "it's my car.".

Maria said that it is my car.

Maria said that it is her car.

Maria said that it was my car.

Maria said that it was her car.

Rate this question:

What would the indirect speech be: Martin said, "I work here every day."?

Martin said that he worked here yesterday.

Martin said that he worked there every day.

Martin said that he works here every day.

Martin said that he worked every day.

What would the indirect speech be: Monica said, "I have finished my homework."?

Monica said that she had finished her homework.

Monica said that she had finished my homework.

Monica said that she has finished her homework.

Monica said that she has finished my homework."

What would the indirect speech be: My daughter said to me, "I can sleep alone."?

My daughter said to me that I can sleep alone.

My daughter told me that she can sleep alone.

My daughter said to me that she would sleep alone.

My daughter told me that she could sleep alone.

What would the indirect speech be: Leo said, "My friend may come tonight."?

Leo said that his friend might come tonight.

Leo said that his friend might come that night.

Leo said that his friend might go that night.

Leo said that his friend might go tonight.

What would the indirect speech be: Jullie said to me, "I have to win this game."?

Jullie told me that she must win this game.

Jullie told me that she had to win that game.

Jullie told me that she had to win this game.

Jullie told me that she must win that game.

What would the indirect speech be: He said, "I am a man."?

He said that he was a man.

He said that he is a man.

He said that I am a man.

He said that I was a man.

What would the indirect speech be: Mary said, "I am coming here."?

Mary said that she was coming there.

Mary said that she is coming there.

Mary insists that she had been coming there.

Mary says that she had come here.

What would the indirect speech be: My brother said, "I went to school yesterday."?

My brother said that he had gone to school today.

My brother said that he had gone to school the day after.

My brother said that he had gone to school the previous day.

My brother said that he had gone to school the next day.

What would the indirect speech be: Mathew said, "I will go to school next year."?

Mathew said that he would go to school the year before.

Mathew said that he would go to school the following year.

Mathew said that he would come to school the year before.

Mathew said that he would come to school the year after.

Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

Current Version
Aug 30, 2024 Quiz Edited by ProProfs Editorial Team
May 13, 2015 Quiz Created by Tukkatan64

Direct and indirect speech exercises

There are many occasions in which we need to describe an event or action that happened, and very often that includes repeating what someone said. Such occasions can include a social situation as well as in a work email or presentation. In order to describe what people said there are two different types of speech – direct speech and indirect speech (or reported speech).

Read the article below to find out more about these forms and improve your English storytelling skills.

Do you want to practice your English speaking skills with small classes with native-level teachers? Find out more about Speak+ now

Direct Speech

When we want to describe what someone said, one option is to use direct speech . We use direct speech when we simply repeat what someone says, putting the phrase between speech marks:

Paul came in and said, “I’m really hungry.”

It is very common to see direct speech used in books or in a newspaper article. For example:

The local MP said, “We plan to make this city a safer place for everyone.”

As you can see, with direct speech it is common to use the verb ‘to say’ (‘said’ in the past). But you can also find other verbs used to indicate direct speech such as ‘ask’, ‘reply’, and ‘shout’. For example:

When Mrs Diaz opened the door, I asked, “Have you seen Lee?”
She replied, “No, I haven’t seen him since lunchtime.”
The boss was angry and shouted, “Why isn’t he here? He hasn’t finished that report yet!”

Indirect Speech

When we want to report what someone said without speech marks and without necessarily using exactly the same words, we can use indirect speech (also called reported speech). For example:

Direct speech: “We’re quite cold in here.”
Indirect speech: They say (that) they’re cold.

When we report what someone says in the present simple, as in the above sentence, we normally don’t change the tense, we simply change the subject. However, when we report things in the past, we usually change the tense by moving it one step back. For example, in the following sentence the present simple becomes the past simple in indirect speech:

Direct speech: “I have a new car.”
Indirect speech: He said he had a new car.

All the other tenses follow a similar change in indirect speech. Here is an example for all the main tenses:

The same rule of moving the tenses one step back also applies to modal verbs. For example:

Using ‘say’ or ‘tell’

As an alternative to using ‘say’ we can also use ‘tell’ (‘told’ in the past) in reported speech, but in this case you need to add the object pronoun. For example:

He told me he was going to call Alan.
They told her they would arrive a little late.
You told us you’d already finished the order.

Changing Time Expressions

Sometimes it’s necessary to change the time expressions when you report speech, especially when you are speaking about the past and the time reference no longer applies. For example:

Direct speech: “I’m seeing my brother tomorrow .”
Indirect speech: She said she was seeing her brother the following day .

Here are some other examples:

Direct speech: “I had a headache yesterday .”
Indirect speech: You said you’d had a headache the day before yesterday .
Direct speech: “It’s been raining since this afternoon .”
Indirect speech: He said it’d been raining since that afternoon .
Direct speech: “I haven’t seen them since last week .”
Indirect speech: She said she hadn’t seen them since the previous week .

Reporting Questions

When you report a question you need to change the interrogative form into an affirmative sentence, putting the verb tense one step back, as with normal reported speech.

There are two types of questions that we can report – questions that have a yes/no response, and questions that begin with a question word like ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘who’ etc. When we report a yes/no question, we use ‘if’. For example:

Direct speech: “Do they live here?”
Indirect speech: You asked me if they lived here.

As you can see, in the reported version of the question, ‘do’ is eliminated because it is no longer a question, and the verb ‘live’ becomes ‘lived’.

For questions starting with question words like ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’, ‘who’, etc., we report the question using the question word but change the interrogative form to the affirmative form. For example:

Direct speech: “Where do they live?”
Indirect speech: You asked me where they lived.
Direct speech: “When are you leaving?”
Indirect speech: He asked us when we were leaving .
Direct speech: “How will they get here?”
Indirect speech: She asked me how they would get here.

When we report a question we normally use the verb ‘ask’. As with the verb ‘to tell’, the verb ‘to ask’ is normally followed by an object pronoun, though it is possible to omit it.

Reporting Orders and Requests

When you give someone an order, you use the imperative form, which means using just the verb without a subject. For example:

“ Call me back later.”
“ Have a seat.”
“ Don’t do that!”

To report an order we use ‘tell’ and the infinitive of the verb. For example:

You told me to call you back later.
He told me to have a seat.
She told us not to do that.

When you make a request, you normally use words like ‘can’, ‘could’, or ‘will’. For example:

“Could you call me back later?”
“Will you have a seat?”
“Can you not do that please?”

To report a request, we use the verb ‘to ask’ and the infinitive form of the verb. For example:

You asked me to call you back later.
He asked me to have a seat.
She asked us not to do that.

Now you’ve seen how we use direct and indirect speech , practice using them yourself. An excellent and easy way to see how they are used is by reading a short story in English or a news article online, because stories and articles contain many examples of reported speech.

A really useful thing to learn in any language is how to say the days of the week and dates. Find out more here.

Of all the English verbs, the most important two are ‘to be’ and ‘to have’. Learn how to use them in this article.

Get in touch

Speak to a member of our experienced team about how to begin your journey with Wall Street English.

English Grammar
Grammar Exercises
Direct And Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and indirect speech is one topic in English grammar that confuses most language learners. It need not necessarily be so; if you understand how it works, you can easily use it in your writing.

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

When converting direct speech to indirect speech or vice-versa, you will have to take care to convert the verb , pronoun and the adverb appropriately. Go through the following exercises and try them out. Answers are given below each exercise; refer to them to see if your answers are right.

Exercise 1: Change into indirect speech

Read the following sentences and convert them into indirect speech.

Rahul told to me, “When are you leaving?”
“Where do you live?” the stranger asked Aladdin.
The teacher said to Shelly, “Why are you laughing?”
Dhronacharya said to Arjun, “Shoot the bird’s eye.”
“Call the first convict,” said the jury.
“Call the ambulance,” said the man.
Bruce said to me, “I shall do the work.”
My mother said to me, “You were wrong.”
Mr Richard said to me, “Please wait here till I return.”
The captain said to me, “Bravo! You have played well.”
Raj said, “Alas! My pet died.”
Ruchi said, “I may go there.”
Bucky said to Steve, “Do you hear me?”
The boy said, “Let me come in.”
Granny said to me, “May God bless you.”

Answers –

Rahul asked me when I was leaving.
The stranger asked Aladdin where he lived.
The teacher asked Shelly why he was laughing.
Dhronacharya ordered Arjun to shoot the fish’s eye.
The jury ordered to call the first convict.
The man urged to call the ambulance.
Bruce said to me he would do the work.
My mother told me that I was wrong.
Mr Richard requested me to wait there till he returned.
The captain applauded me, saying that I had played well.
Raj exclaimed sadly that his pet died.
Ruchi said that she might go there.
Bucky asked Steve if he heard him.
The boy asked to let him come in.
Granny prayed that God might bless me.

Convert the following into Direct Speech

Read the following passage and convert it into direct speech.

One of them told Issac that the latter had forgotten one thing that belonged to a mill. Issac enquired what that was. The friend asked where the miller was. Issac replied that (absence of the miller) was true – and he must look for one.

“But Issac,” said one of them, “you have forgotten one thing that belongs to a mill.”

“What is that?” asked Issac.

“Why, where is the miller?” said his friend.

“That is true – I must look for one,” said Issac.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct narration.

When the actual words/sentences as spoken by the speaker are quoted in a speech, it’s called direct speech/narration.

What is indirect speech?

When the quoted speech is reported in the form of a narrative without changing the meaning of the actual quotation/words by the speaker, it’s called indirect speech/narration.

ENGLISH Related Links

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Direct and indirect speech exercises PDF

English grammar PDF
PDF worksheets
Mixed PDF tests
Present tenses
Past tenses
Future tenses
Present perfect
Past perfect
Future perfect
Irregular verbs
Modal verbs
If-conditional
Passive voice
Reported speech
Time clauses
Relative clauses
Indirect questions
Question tags
Imperative sentence
Gerund and infinitive
Direct | indirect object

Direct and indirect speech

Online exercises
Grammar rules PDF

English grammar books PDF

PDF book 1: English grammar exercises PDF

PDF book 2: English grammar rules PDF

Direct and indirect speech exercises

Reported speech exercises PDF

Learn how to change tenses, pronouns, expressions of time and place in the reported speech.

Reported questions + commands exercises PDF

Practise the difference between the direct and indirect speech in questions, commands and requests.

Online exercises with answers:

Direct - indirect speech exercise 1 Rewrite sentences in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 2 Report a short dialogue in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 3 Find and correct mistakes in the reported speech.

Direct - indirect speech exercise 4 Choose correct answers in a multiple choice test.

Indirect - direct speech exercise 5 Rewrite sentences from the reported speech to direct speech.

Reported questions, commands and requests:

Reported questions exercise 6 Change the reported questions and orders into direct questions and orders.

Reported questions exercise 7 Change direct questions into reported questions.

Reported commands exercise 8 Make reported commands and requests.

Grammar rules PDF:

Reported speech rules PDF Changes of tenses, pronouns, time and place in reported statements, questions and commands.

English grammar PDF All PDF rules with examples on e-grammar.org.

Direct + indirect speech

Reported Speech – Free Exercise

Write the following sentences in indirect speech. Pay attention to backshift and the changes to pronouns, time, and place.

Two weeks ago, he said, “I visited this museum last week.” → Two weeks ago, he said that . I → he simple past → past perfect this → that last …→ the … before
She claimed, “I am the best for this job.” → She claimed that . I → she simple present→ simple past this→ that
Last year, the minister said, “The crisis will be overcome next year.” → Last year, the minister said that . will → would next …→ the following …
My riding teacher said, “Nobody has ever fallen off a horse here.” → My riding teacher said that . present perfect → past perfect here→ there
Last month, the boss explained, “None of my co-workers has to work overtime now.” → Last month, the boss explained that . my → his/her simple present→ simple past now→ then

Rewrite the question sentences in indirect speech.

She asked, “What did he say?” → She asked . The subject comes directly after the question word. simple past → past perfect
He asked her, “Do you want to dance?” → He asked her . The subject comes directly after whether/if you → she simple present → simple past
I asked him, “How old are you?” → I asked him . The subject comes directly after the question word + the corresponding adjective (how old) you→ he simple present → simple past
The tourists asked me, “Can you show us the way?” → The tourists asked me . The subject comes directly after whether/if you→ I us→ them
The shop assistant asked the woman, “Which jacket have you already tried on?” → The shop assistant asked the woman . The subject comes directly after the question word you→ she present perfect → past perfect

Rewrite the demands/requests in indirect speech.

The passenger said, “Stop the car.” → The passenger asked the taxi driver . to + same wording as in direct speech
The mother told her son, “Don’t be so loud.” → The mother told her son . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t
The policeman told us, “Please keep moving.” → The policeman told us . to + same wording as in direct speech ( please can be left off)
She told me, “Don’t worry.” → She told me . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t
The zookeeper told the children, “Don’t feed the animals.” → The zookeeper told the children . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t

How good is your English?

Find out with Lingolia’s free grammar test

Take the test!

Maybe later

Direct and Indirect Exercises With Answers

We often convey a message or give information about what someone said, thought, or felt to somebody else. In order to do this, you can use the grammar structure named indirect or reported speech. direct and indirect rules have already talked about, below we have prepared direct and indirect exercises with answers for ESL learners.

Direct and Indirect Exercises

Attempt the exercises below then compare your answers with the correct answers given below.

Turn into reported speech.

1. “It’s hot” Tom said that _______________________________________________________. 2. “I have done my homework.” Tom said that __________________________________________________. 3. “I will give you a book” Tom said that _______________________________________________________. 4. “Do you smoke?” Tom asked me if ____________________________________________________. 5. “Where does Bob live?” Tom asked me where _______________________________________________. 6. “Jane has not arrived yet” Tom told us that________________________________________________________. 7. “I’m so worried,” Tom, told us that_______________________________________________________. 8. “I want to go away”. Tom told us that ____________________________________________________. 9. “You should eat less.” The doctor advised me that _______________________________________. 10. “Don’t shout” The teacher told me________________________________.

Direct And Indirect Speech Complete Rules

Turn into direct speech.

1. Mary said she was very tired. Mary said, “____________________________________________________________.” 2. The teacher told the boys to open their books. The teacher said to the boys, “___________________________________________________________.” 3. Tom’s mother told him not to eat any ice cream. Tom’s mother said to Tom: “_____________________________________________________________.” 4. My friend said that he was going skiing at the weekend. My friend said: “__________________________________________________at the weekend.” 5. Bob’s mates told the teacher that Bob was ill that day. Bob’s mates said: “Teacher,__________________________________________________________ today.” 6. Mary told Jane she would help her. Mary said to Jane,”____________________________________________________.” 7. I said I would have bought a new car if I had had the money. I said,”_______________________________________________________________________________.” 8. My father told me to look for a job if I wanted more money. My father said:”_____________________________________________________________.” 9. Tim wrote to his brother that their cat had died that day. Tim wrote to his brother: “________________________________________________________________.” 10. The teacher informed the students that the break lasted ten minutes. The teacher said to the students,”____________________________________________________________.”

Turn the following questions into reported speech.

1. “Where do you live?” Mary asked Tom, “______________________________________________.” 2. “How are you going to travel to Italy?” Mary asked Tom__________________________________________________. 3. “Why did you buy that book?” Mary asked Tom___________________________________________________. 4. “What’s the time?” Mary asked Tom__________________________________________________. 5. “Who helped you with your work?” Mary asked Tom______________________________________________.

Choose the right option

6. I (said/told) her not to disturb me. 7. My friend never (told/said) me about his plans. 8. The teacher (that/said) that we had to study harder. 9. Don’t (tell/say) me what I have to do. 10. He did not (say/tell) why he was late.

How to Check Your Grammar Mistakes in an Essay – 8 Best Tools

The following sentences use quoted speech. Change the following sentences from quoted speech to reported speech.

1) James said, “I am watching TV.” 2) Professor Jones said, “I worked all day!” 3) The president said, “I will be visiting Italy in December.” 4) The weatherman announced, “It may rain today.” 5) My father screamed, “I have to go to the airport, now!” 6) Then my mother said, “I must take your father.” 7) The psychologist said, “You should calm down.” 8) I responded, “I ought to leave the office.” 9) Mark said, “I love visiting China and Korea.” 10) Martin said, “I can be a great president!” 11) Sung-He said, “Close the windows” 12) Bobby will say, “I have already done direct and indirect speech exercises.

Direct and Indirect Exercises With Answers – The Answers

Tom said that it was hot.
Tom said that he had done his homework.
Tom said that he would give me a book.
Tom asked me if I smoked.
Tom asked me where Bob lived.
Tom told us that Jane had not arrived yet.
Tom told us that he was so worried.
Tom told us that he wanted to go away.
The doctor advised me that I should eat less.
The teacher told me not to shout.
Mary said, “I am very tired.”
The teacher said to the boys, “open your books.”
Tom’s mother said to Tom: “Don’t eat any ice cream.”
My friend said:” I am going skiing on the weekend.
Bob’s mates said: “Teacher, Bob is ill today.”
Mary said to Jane, “I will help you.”
I said, “I will have bought a new car if I had had the money.”
My father said: “look for a job if I want more money.”
Tom wrote to his brother:” Our cat died today.”
The teacher said to the student, “the break lasts ten minutes.”
Mary asked Tom, “Where he lived.”
Mary asked Tom how he was going to travel to Italy.
Mary asked Tom why he bought that book.
Mary asked Tom what was the time.
Mary asked Tom who helped him with his work.
I told her not to disturb me.
My friend never told me about his plans.
The teacher said that we had to study harder.
Do not tell me what I have to do.
He did not say why he was late.
James said that he was watching TV.
Professor Jones said that he had worked all day.
The president said that he would be visiting Italy in December.
The weatherman announced that it might rain that day.
My father screamed that he had to go to the airport, then.
Then my mother said that she had to take my father.
The psychologist said that I should calm down.
I responded I ought to leave the office.
Mark said that he loved visiting China and Korea.
Martin said that he could be a great president.
Sung-He ordered to close the windows.
Bobby will say that he has already done Direct and Indirect Exercises.

I hope the direct and indirect exercises were helpful to you and if you would like to know more about direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech, check out more in the book below.

You can read more about the following topics:

Direct and Indirect of Modal Auxiliaries
Direct and Indirect of Future Perfect Progressive
Direct and Indirect of Future Perfect Tense
Direct and Indirect of Future Progressive Tense
Direct and Indirect of Simple Future Tense
Direct and Indirect of Past Perfect Progressive
Direct and Indirect of Past Perfect Tense

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

Reported Speech /

9+ Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises (with Answers) for Practice

Updated on
May 8, 2024

Direct and indirect speech exercises: Effective communication involves accurate reporting of the words of others. Direct and indirect speech are the tools that help us achieve this. They help in communicating information with accuracy and clarity. In this blog post, you will learn about reported speech and practice exercises to master the concept of direct and indirect speech.

This Blog Includes:

What are direct speech and indirect speech, exercises 6.

Must Read: Reported Speech

Direct Speech

Direct Speech is the actual words spoken by the person. It is often enclosed within inverted commas, providing readers with deep insight into the speaker’s words.

For example: Rohit said, “ I will attend the office tomorrow.”

In the above example, the words enclosed in the commas depict the speaker’s actual words in the sentence.

Indirect Speech

On the other hand, indirect speech includes the reporting of the words of the speaker without quoting their exact words. While changing a sentence from direct speech to indirect speech there are a few changes that need to be kept in mind while changing. These changes include changes in the pronouns, verb tense, and the removal of quotation marks.

For example:

Direct Speech Rohit said, “ I will attend the office tomorrow.”

Indirect Speech Rohit said that he would attend the office the next day.

In Indirect Speech, there is a change in pronoun, verb tense, and the removal of quotation marks.

Also Read: Tenses Rules: Charts, Examples, Types [PDF Available]

4 Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

We have compiled several exercises for you which will allow you to check your knowledge.

Instruction: Change the following sentences from direct to indirect speech.

She said, “ I live in Noida”.
He said,” I am going out”.
Sita said,” I have done my homework.”
Rohan said, “ I have finished”.
They said,” We are going to the market”.
She said, “ The concert starts at 7 pm”.
She said,” I ate an apple.”
They said,” We were there in the party.”
Soham said,” Two and two makes four.”
Rohan said, “ I love ice cream.”

Match the following answers with the solved exercise:

Sita said that she had done her homework.
Rohan said that he had finished.
They said that they were going to the market.
She said that the concert started at 7 pm.
She said that she had eaten an apple.
They said that they had been there at the party.
Soham said that two and two made four.
Rohan said that he loved ice cream.
She said that she lived in Noida.
He said that he was going out.

Must Read: Subject-Verb Agreement: Definition, 12 Rules & Examples

Instruction: Change the following sentences from indirect to direct speech.

Rohan asked me when I was leaving.
The stranger asked Rohan where he lived.
The teacher asked Soham why he was talking.
The hunter ordered the group to shoot the tiger.
The judge ordered to call the first convict.
The women urged them to call an ambulance.
Brut said to me he would do the work.
My brother told me that I was wrong.
Mr Richav requested me to wait there till he returned.
The captain applauded Rohit, saying that he had played well.
Rohan asked, “When are you leaving?”
The stranger asked Rohan, “Where do you live?”
The teacher asked Soham, “Why are you talking?”
The hunter commanded the group, “Shoot the tiger.”
The judge said, “Call the first convict.”
The woman said, “Call an ambulance.”
Brut said, “I will do the work.”
My brother said, “You are wrong.”
Mr. Richav said, “Please wait here till I return.”
The captain said to Rohit, “You played well.”

Instruction: Convert the following sentences into indirect speech.

He said, ‘The rabbits have been fed.’
‘It is too late to go out,’ Mary said.
He said, ‘I am writing letters.’
He said to me, ‘I don’t believe you.’
He said that the rabbits had been fed.
Mary said that it was too late to go out.
He said that he was writing letters.
He told me that he didn’t believe me.

Must Read: Figures of Speech: Types, Usage & Examples [Download PDF]

Instruction: Fill in the following blanks with the appropriate words:

He asked me ________________ .
She said that she ________________ .
They wondered ________________ .
He commanded that ________________ .
He asked me where I was going.
She said that she was going to the store.
They wondered where he had gone.
He commanded that everyone must stay quiet.

5+ Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Instruction: Fill in the blanks.

She informed me that _ (she had already eaten).
They wondered _ (when the train was arriving).
He ordered _ (every one to remain seated).
He asked me _ (why I was late).

Instruction : Rewrite the following dialogue using indirect speech:

Peter: “Have you seen my phone?”

Mary: “No, I haven’t. Did you check your backpack?”

Peter: “Yes, I did. I can’t seem to find it anywhere.”

Mary: “Don’t worry, I’m sure it will turn up. Maybe you left it in your car?”

Peter: “That’s possible. I’ll go and check my car.”

Instruction: Identify the following sentences whether they are Direct Speech or Indirect Speech. Write (DS) for Direct Speech and (IS) for Indirect Speech.

“I can’t believe I won the lottery!” she exclaimed.
He told me he was going camping next weekend.
“Please be careful crossing the street,” the teacher warned.
Did anyone ask why she was late?
“I’ll call you as soon as I arrive,” he promised.

Instruction: Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech.

“Don’t you think it’s about time you apologized?” she said, her voice laced with disappointment.
“The movie was fantastic,” she said.
“I will be back soon,” he promised.
“Have you seen my keys?” she asked.

Instruction: Change the following sentences into direct speech.

She informed me that she had already finished the task.
He inquired if I would be interested in joining them for dinner.
They mentioned that they might be visiting their grandparents soon.

Instruction: Match the sentences.

Indirect: She informed me that she wouldn’t be able to make it to the event.
a) I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to the event tonight.
b) She mentioned she was feeling a bit under the weather.
c) She couldn’t wait to celebrate with everyone.
Indirect: He inquired if I had any plans for Monday.
a) Tell me, what are you up to this Monday?
b) Just curious, do you have anything exciting planned?
c) I hope you’re free for some fun!

When the actual words spoken by the person are written without making any changes, they are written in quotation marks to mark them as real words spoken by the speaker. For example: Rita said, ” I love to play Table-tennis”.

When the actual words are not written in the quoted form but are expressed in the form of narrative without changing the meaning of the words spoken by the speaker. It is called indirect narration. For example: Rita said that she loved to play Table-tennis.

The most common reporting verbs used in indirect speech are “said,” “told,” “asked,” “explained,” “mentioned,” and “suggested.” The choice of reporting verb influences the tone and meaning of the reported speech.

Learn More About Reported Speech

To advance your grammar knowledge and read more informative blogs, check out our Learn English page and don’t forget to follow Leverage Edu .

Amanpreet Kaur

📚✨ From Classroom Chats Entered Into The Wordy World ….. Yes , If you all Remember that teacher who kept you on your toes with pop quizzes and endless homework? YEP! THAT WAS Me ! 🌟 But with the blessings of almighty and the key motivation of my husband who came across the spark of writing in me has insisted me to pave my way away from chalk dust to creative burst!💫 Being in this new world of writing I can compose pun-tastic content, poetry full of emotions and humorous articles that can even make Shakespeare envious of me 📝🎭.Yippee! from teaching young minds to educating worldwide readers it's an epic career switch. From teaching grammar lessons to grammatically flawless copy, I'm todays' wordsmith on a mission! Let me spin literary magic all around and conquer my exact destination of proving myself as The Best Writer in The World.🚀🏆 My promise is to provide you with valuable insights, solutions to your questions, and a momentary escape from the routine. I believe in the power of words to create connections, provoke thought, and foster growth. Woods are lovely dark and deep But I have promises to keep and Miles to go before I sleep ……..🌳✨🌌

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Hello dear student! Mastery of direct and indirect speech is essential in understanding and effectively communicating in English.

It not only provides clarity when conveying messages but also adds depth to our language use, especially when relaying past conversations or reports.

In today’s lesson, we will delve into exercises designed to enhance your grasp of direct and indirect speech.

By arranging sentences, rectifying grammatical mistakes, and formulating questions, you will polish your skills and become more proficient in this aspect of English. Let’s dive in!

1) Put the Sentences in the Correct Order – Direct and Indirect Speech

a) said / ” / I / love / she / chocolate / “

She said, “I love chocolate.”

b) ' / he / I / am / me, / working / tomorrow. / ' / told

C) 'we / visit / paris / ' / they / promised, / will, d) 'do / go / you / to / to / movies / the / ' / she / asked / want, e) announced / 'we / the / winner / ' / are / they, f) 'i / the / letter / ' / he / said, / wrote, g) ' / you / the / hear / news / ' / she / asked / did, h) is / friend. / , / ' / claimed / he / 'she / my, i) ' / called / yesterday / ,' / she / said / him / i, j) ' / the / game / exclaimed / she / won / , 'they, k) ' / was / secret / ,' / whispered / it / he / a, l) she / 'you / careful / should / ,' / advised / be, 2) fix grammatical errors – direct and indirect speech exercises.

a) She say, “I goes on the park.”

She said, “I go to the park.”

b) He said that he don't likes pizza.

C) 'where are she going' asked the john., d) 'i can plays the guittar,' he said., e) she told that she is coming., f) 'did you seen the movie' her asked., g) 'i am having a pen,' he declared., h) she say she love chocolate., i) 'i did no knew about it,' he said., j) 'where do she lives' he inquired., k) she said, 'i can to sings well.', 3) practice your vocabulary completing the sentences.

a) He xxid, “I am gxxxg to the xxxcert.”

He said, “I am going to the concert.”

b) She told me she wxxxed to xxxxt Paris next summer.

C) 'i xxe the cake,' john conxxxxxd., d) mary sxxd that she xxx always wanted to bxxxxx a doctor., e) 'it’s gxxxx to rain,' he xxxd., f) they exclaimed, 'this is the bxxx film we’ve xxxx', g) 'i don’t xxxx her number,' he rexxxxd., h) she whxxxxxed, 'i think he xxx a secret.', i) he said, 'i xxw her yesterday xx xxx market.', j) 'xx brother xoxxx to play guitar,' she mexxxxxed., k) she said, 'i’m wxxxxxd about the exam xxxxxxs.', l) 'i xixx be xxxxnding the meeting,' he xxxxxmed., 4) about direct and indirect speech, write the obvious questions to the answers.

a) He said, “I will come.”

What did he say?

b) 'I am feeling sick,' she said. ( How... )

C) 'we have finished the project,' they announced. ( what... ), d) she said that she didn't steal the cookies. ( what... ), e) 'you look beautiful in that dress,' he complimented. ( what... ), f) 'i am moving to new york next month,' he told. ( where... ), g) she said, 'i can't come to the party'. ( what... ), h) 'we watched the movie last night,' they shared. ( when... ), i) he said, 'she is my sister'. ( who... ), j) 'i will bring the book tomorrow,' she promised. ( what... ), k) 'you are late,' he observed. ( what... ), l) she said, 'i read the news'. ( what... ).

Well done on completing these exercises on direct and indirect speech! Remember, practice is key in mastering any language aspect.

Revisiting such exercises regularly will ensure that you internalize the concepts and apply them effortlessly in real-life situations.

Always pay attention to the context and the tense changes that often come with indirect speech. Keep up the great work, and always strive for continuous improvement in your English journey!

4 English Simple Present Exercises

English Subject Pronoun Exercises

4 English Simple Past Exercises

4 English Plural Exercises

English Adverbs of Place Exercises

4 English Simple Future Exercises

Privacy overview.

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Home of English Grammar

Direct and indirect speech exercise

A sentence has been given in direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in indirect speech.

1. Rahul asked me, ‘Did you see the cricket match on TV last night?’

2. james said to his mother, ‘i am leaving for new york tomorrow.’, 3. i said to him, ‘why don’t you work hard’, 4. he said to her, ‘what a hot day’, 5. the priest said, ‘be quiet and listen to my words.’.

1. a) Rahul asked me if I had seen the cricket match on TV the previous night.

2. c) James told his mother that he was leaving for New York the next day.

3. b) I asked him why he didn’t work hard.

4. c) He exclaimed that it was a hot day.

5. c) The priest urged them to be quiet and to listen to his words.

Direct and Indirect Speech Online Test

This is an online quiz to test your knowledge of Direct and Indirect Speech in English.
This Online Test is useful for academic and competitive exams .
Multiple answer choices are given for each question in this test. You have to choose the best option.
After completing the test, you can see your result .
There are 10 questions in the test.
There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
There is no specified time to complete this test.

Which one best expresses the given sentence in Indirect/Direct speech?

He said to me, “I am sorry to hear that you have lost your dog.”

He said to me, “I am sorry to hear that you have lost your dog.” He sympathised with me on hearing I had lost my dog. Change ‘your’ into ‘my’.

The boys are sure to say, “We are going by ourselves.”

The boys are sure to say, “We are going by ourselves.” The boys will say that they were going by themselves. Use conjunction ‘that’. Change ‘we’ into ‘they’.

He said to me, “where are you going?”

He said to me, “where are you going?” He asked me where I was going. Change ‘said to’ into ‘asked’, you into ‘I’, and write a sentence in statement form.

“Why are you looking through the keyhole?” I said.

“Why are you looking through the keyhole?” I said. I asked him why he was looking through the keyhole.

He said to his father, “Please increase my pocket money.”

He said to his father, “Please increase my pocket money.” He requested his father to increase his pocket money.

“How cruel the boss is!” said the clerk.

“How cruel the boss is!” said the clerk. The clerk exclaimed that the boss was very cruel.

Socrates said, “Virtue is its own reward.”

Socrates said, “Virtue is its own reward.” (universal truth statements) Socrates said that virtue is its own reward. Use conjunction ‘that’. We don’t change the tense of the universal truth statements.

Monica said, “I will watch a horror movie tonight”.

Monica said, “I will watch a horror movie tonight”. Monica said that she would watch a horror movie that night. Use conjunction ‘that’, change pronoun ‘I’ into ‘she’, and ‘tonight’ into ‘that night’.

“Are you alone, my son?” asked a soft voice close behind me.

“Are you alone, my son?” asked a soft voice close behind me. A soft voice behind me asked If I was alone.

Anaya said, “I am busy now”.

Anaya said, “I am busy now”. Anaya said that he was busy then. Use conjunction ‘that’; change ‘I’ into ‘She’ and ‘now’ into ‘then’.

Now check your Result..

Your score is

Share This Page!

Reported speech - 1

Reported speech - 2

Reported speech - 3

Worksheets - handouts

Exercises: indirect speech

Reported speech - present
Reported speech - past
Reported speech - questions
Reported questions - write
Reported speech - imperatives
Reported speech - modals
Indirect speech - tenses 1
Indirect speech - tenses 2
Indirect speech - write 1
Indirect speech - write 2
Indirect speech - quiz
Reported speech - tenses
Indirect speech – reported speech
Reported speech – indirect speech

Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Exercises on reported speech.

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
place and time expressions
tenses (backshift)

Type	Example
	“I speak English.”
	He says that he speaks English.
	He said that he spoke English.

→ more on statements in reported speech

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

Also note that you have to:

transform the question into an indirect question
use the interrogative or if / whether

Type		Example
		“Why don’t you speak English?”
		He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
		“Do you speak English?”
		He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

→ more on questions in reported speech

Type	Example
	Carol, speak English.
	He told Carol to speak English.

→ more on requests in reported speech

Additional Information and Exeptions

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:

main clauses connected with and / but
tense of the introductory clause
reported speech for difficult tenses
exeptions for backshift
requests with must , should , ought to and let’s

→ more on additional information and exeptions in reported speech

Statements in Reported Speech

no backshift – change of pronouns
no backshift – change of pronouns and places
with backshift
with backshift and change of place and time expressions

Questions in Reported Speech

Requests in reported speech.

Exercise 1 – requests (positive)
Exercise 2 – requests (negative)
Exercise 3 – requests (mixed)

Mixed Exercises on Reported Speech

Exercise on reported speech with and without backshift

Grammar in Texts

„ The Canterville Ghost “ (highlight direct speech and reported speech)

Direct and Indirect Speech

Javier Ramirez Lopez

Change from direct and indirect speech

Loading ad...

Google Classroom
Microsoft Teams
Download PDF

English Grammar Online Exercises and Downloadable Worksheets

Online exercises.

Reported Speech

Levels of Difficulty : Elementary Intermediate Advanced

RS012 - Reported Speech Intermediate
RS011 - Reported Speech Intermediate
RS010 - Reporting Verbs Advanced
RS009 - Reporting Verbs Advanced
RS008 - Reporting Verbs Advanced
RS007 - Reporting Verbs Intermediate
RS006 - Reported Speech Intermediate
RS005 - Reported Speech - Introductory Verbs Advanced
RS004 - Reported Speech Intermediate
RS003 - Reporting Verbs Intermediate
RS002 - Reported Speech Intermediate
RS001 - Reported Speech Intermediate
Gerund - Infinitive
Adjective - Adverb
Modal Verbs
Passive Voice
Definite and Indefinite Articles
Prepositions
Connectives and Linking Words
Quantifiers
Question and Negations
Relative Pronouns
Indefinite Pronouns
Possessive Pronouns
Phrasal Verbs
Common Mistakes
Missing Word Cloze
Word Formation
Multiple Choice Cloze
Prefixes and Suffixes
Key Word Transformation
Editing - One Word Too Many
Collocations
General Vocabulary
Adjectives - Adverbs
Gerund and Infinitive
Conjunctions and Linking Words
Question and Negation
Error Analysis
Translation Sentences
Multiple Choice
Banked Gap Fill
Open Gap Fill
General Vocabulary Exercises
Argumentative Essays
Letters and Emails
English News Articles
Privacy Policy

Reported Speech Exercise 1

Perfect english grammar.

Here's an exercise about reported statements.

Review reported statements here
Download this quiz in PDF here
More reported speech exercises here

Hello! I'm Seonaid! I'm here to help you understand grammar and speak correct, fluent English.

Simple English Grammar

Direct Indirect Speech

Direct and Indirect Speech Online Exercise for Grade 5

Change the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech sentences. This work out will make you understand the concept of the language more efficiently:

Usha Madam said to us, “We will go to picnic tomorrow”.
Pappu said, “I am watching the cricket match”.
Billu said, “I am munching a softy”.
Tannu said to me, “I am very busy now”.
The guests said, “Our room is large and airy”.
Aditi said, “I can solve this sum”.
Piyush said to his teacher, “May I go outside the classroom to meet my father?”
Kamal said, “I am writing my notes’’.
Sanju Said, “I shall sit by the river bank”.
The children came home and said, “We are very hungry”.
Chitra said to her son, “I am preparing dosas for you”.
The cop uncle said, “The thief has been arrested yesterday”.
Mr. Gupta said to the banker, “I will repay the loan within one year”.
Martha said to me, “I shall meet you tomorrow for dinner”.
Weeping Charu said, “I have lost the precious ring in the hall”.
Usha Madam said to us that we would go to picnic the next day.
Pappu said that he was watching the cricket match.
Billu said that he was munching a softy.
Tannu said to me that he was very busy then. [Note: ‘Now’ changes to ‘Then’ in the indirect speech.]
The guests said that their room was large and airy.
Aditi said that she could solve that sum.
Piyush asked to his teacher if he might go outside the classroom to meet his father.
Kamal said that he was writing his notes.
Sanju Said that he should sit by the river bank.
The children came home and said that they were very hungry.
Chitra said to her son that she was preparing dosas for him.
The cop uncle informed that the thief had been arrested the previous day.
Mr. Gupta said to the banker that he would repay the loan within one year.
Martha said to me that she should meet me the next day for dinner.
Weeping Charu said that she had lost the precious ring in the hall

Direct and Indirect Speech Online Exercise for Class 4

Nouns: instruction.

Imperative sentence example (आज्ञासूचक वाक्य), direct and indirect speech online exercise for class 6, direct and indirect speech, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Open University
Accessibility hub
Guest user / Sign out
Study with The Open University

My OpenLearn Profile

Personalise your OpenLearn profile, save your favourite content and get recognition for your learning

About this free course

Become an ou student, download this course, share this free course.

Approaching language, literature and childhood

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

3.2 Direct and indirect speech

When the dialogue is presented with reporting clauses such as ‘shouted his uncle’ or ‘said Tom’, this is called direct speech . When dialogue is presented without reporting clauses, such as with Uncle Alan’s long speech and Tom’s single word reply, this is called free direct speech . With direct speech, we assume that the words in the speech marks are exactly the words that the character spoke and that the narrator is reporting them exactly.

Now read this extract from chapter 2 of Marianne Dreams and notice how the writing uses both dialogue (direct speech) and narration, giving the narrator more input and control:

Catherine Storr: Marianne Dreams

… she heard her mother come up the stairs, talking to someone. Marianne knew it must be the doctor.

‘Good,’ she thought. ‘Now he’ll say I can get up and go back to school. I’m frightfully bored with being here all the time.

But when the doctor had examined her, and asked all the usual sort of questions that doctors do ask, he didn’t say she could get up and go back to school. In fact he still looked rather grave.

‘Now, young lady,’ he said, ‘I don’t know if this is going to be good news or bad news, but I’m afraid you won’t be going back to school this term. You’ve got to stay in bed for at least another six weeks, possibly more. I’ll come and see you fairly often and I’ll tell you when you can get up, but until then, it’s bed all the time.’

Marianne stared at him. She had never imagined anything like this. The three weeks she had already spent in bed had seemed endless and the idea of another six weeks, perhaps more, was terrible. ‘But I must go back to school,’ she protested. ‘I’m acting in the school play at the end of term!’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Dr Burton. ‘But you can’t get up even for that.’

‘But six weeks is a terribly long time,’ said Marianne, ‘I can’t stay in bed for six weeks and not do anything.’

‘I’m afraid you’ve got to,’ Dr Burton said gravely. ‘If you don’t, you might make yourself ill in a way that would last the rest of your life, and we don’t want that to happen.’

‘I don’t care,’ Marianne said, nearly crying, ‘I’d rather be ill for the rest of my life than have to stay in bed any more now.’ She knew it was silly, and that she didn’t really mean it, but she was too upset to mind.

In this last paragraph, the narrator reports on thoughts instead of speech. Direct speech can also be used to describe thought, when it occurs in quotation marks, such as when Tom imagines the letter that he will write to his brother:

To begin with, the narrator reports on Marianne’s thoughts. Direct speech can also be used to describe thought, when it occurs in quotation marks, such as when Marianne imagines what the doctor will say:

The words in the quotation marks represent Tom’s exact thoughts, word for word, and the reporting clause allows the narrator to separate out Tom’s thoughts from the narrative commentary on them.

Another way of presenting speech and thought is indirectly. In indirect speech , we cannot be entirely sure of what words the character thought or said, such as in this example:

She had never imagined anything like this. The three weeks she had already spent in bed had seemed endless and the idea of another six weeks, perhaps more, was terrible.

Here, we know that we are reading about Marianne’s thoughts because we are told that ‘she had never imagined anything like this’, but we cannot be sure if what we are reading is word-for-word what Marianne was thinking. The narrator is explaining Marianne’s thoughts and feelings, but without restricting this to the exact words in her head. Consider this example, from later on in the extract:

She knew it was silly, and that she didn’t really mean it, but she was too upset to mind.

Here we have a reporting clause ‘she knew’ but what follows may not be Marianne’s exact thoughts. It’s clear from what the narrator tells us that she is not thinking clearly, and is overwhelmed, so the narrator must give us their interpretation of her thoughts in order to better explain them to us. Indirect speech gives the narrator more control, therefore, and this can be useful when authors want to describe or explain the thoughts of child characters while using descriptive language the child may not have used themselves.

At this point in the novel, it becomes clear to the reader that Marianne’s tiredness from the earlier activity is actually a symptom of a more serious illness. This illness and the bed rest that Dr Burton recommends to deal with it leads to her spending more time both drawing and dreaming, and it is in the fantasy world of these dreams that her drawings come to life.

Activity 7 Perspective in Tom’s Midnight Garden and Marianne Dreams

One of the challenges for writers of fantasy is to persuade readers to suspend disbelief and accept that, within the terms of the constructed world, characters and events are believable. From what you’ve read of the novels so far, consider: how do the techniques we’ve looked at so far help the authors to draw the reader into their protagonist’s world? How do the authors portray this world from the child protagonist’s perspective? Make some notes and select short quotes from what you’ve read so far to support your points.

In Tom’s Midnight Garden , the narrator focuses very closely on Tom’s perspective (we know little of the thoughts and feelings of the Kitsons or Peter), and we need to see and feel through his eyes and sensibilities for the story to work. Characters and places are presented from his perspective: Peter as a valued playmate and Uncle Alan as morose and authoritarian. In what you’ve read in the activities so far, you may have thought that Tom is being annoyingly pedantic by interrupting his uncle to ask if staying in bed means he can’t go to the lavatory, but there is nothing in the narrator’s words that would indicate this. Despite Tom’s frustrating responses, when Uncle Alan loses his temper, this is described as ‘sudden’ because it is unexpected to Tom, even though you might have predicted that Tom’s answers would make him angry. The narrator calls him ‘poor Tom’, making it clear who we should be empathising with.

In the extracts of Marianne Dreams you’ve read so far, the narrator uses indirect speech to report on Marianne’s thoughts, in which Marianne’s words are reported with the narrator’s words. This mixing of the narrator’s voice with Marianne’s feelings strengthens the reader’s identification with her. Through this colouring, the reader accepts her experiences in the dreamworld as believable within the framework of Storr’s constructed world.

However, at times the narrator does give us information that does not come solely from Marianne’s perspective. In the opening chapter (some of which you read in Activity 4), the narrator helps us to understand Marianne’s feelings by using the pronoun ‘you’ to explain why ‘It is worse if you have had your first riding lesson and know that you ought to be hungry. But not to be able to eat your birthday lunch is worst of all’. Without this context, Marianne’s tears might strike us as a strange overreaction, making it harder for us to empathise with her.

The third-person narrators tell us the story closely from Tom and Marianne’s perspective, therefore, but this narration is also omniscient, and so can give us information and ideas that the protagonists do not know or are not concerned with.

Free indirect speech takes the mixing of the character with the narrator one step further. In free indirect speech, the thoughts or speech of the character is described indirectly, but without any reporting clauses that make it clear that it is the character’s thoughts rather than the narrator’s which are being reported on. This can have the effect of confusing the distinction between the character’s thoughts or words and the narrator’s commentary.

Activity 8 Free indirect speech

Continue reading Chapter 2 of Tom’s Midnight Garden , in which Tom is lying in bed listening to the clock strike thirteen. Most of this is written in free indirect speech. Which parts do you think represent Tom’s thoughts and what comes from the narrator instead?

Philippa Pearce: Tom’s Midnight Garden

And at last—One! The clock struck the present hour; but, as if to show its independence of mind, went on striking—Two! For once Tom was not amused by its striking the wrong hour: Three! Four! ‘It’s one o’clock,’ Tom whispered angrily over the edge of the bedclothes. ‘Why don’t you strike one o’clock, then, as the clocks would do at home?’ Instead: Five! Six! Even in his irritation, Tom could not stop counting; it had become a habit with him at night. Seven! Eight! …

Nine! Ten! ‘You are going it,’ thought Tom, but yawning in the midst of his unwilling admiration. Yes, and it hadn’t finished yet: Eleven! Twelve! ‘Fancy striking midnight twice in one night!’ jeered Tom, sleepily. Thirteen! proclaimed the clock, and then stopped striking.

Thirteen? Tom’s mind gave a jerk: had it really struck thirteen? Even mad old clocks never struck that. He must have imagined it. Had he not been falling asleep, or already sleeping? But no, awake or dozing, he had counted up to thirteen. He was sure of it.

He was uneasy in the knowledge that this happening made some difference to him: he could feel that in his bones. The stillness had become an expectant one; the house seemed to hold its breath; the darkness pressed up to him, pressing him with a question: Come on, Tom, the clock has struck thirteen—what are you going to do about it?

‘Nothing,’ said Tom aloud. And then, as an afterthought: ‘Don’t be silly!’

What could he do, anyway? He had to stay in bed, sleeping or trying to sleep, for ten whole hours, as near as might be, from nine o’clock at night to seven o’clock the next morning. That was what he had promised when his uncle had reasoned with him.

Uncle Alan had been so sure of his reasoning; and yet Tom now began to feel that there had been some flaw in it … Uncle Alan, without discussing the idea, had taken for granted that there were twenty-four hours in a day—twice twelve hours. But suppose, instead, there were twice thirteen? Then, from nine at night to seven in the morning—with the thirteenth hour somewhere between—was more than ten hours: it was eleven. He could be in bed for ten hours, and still have an hour to spare—an hour of freedom.

You probably found this difficult, and there are no clear answers! One of the key features of free indirect speech is that it often becomes almost impossible to separate out the narrator from the character being narrated. The phrase ‘mad old clocks’ could be Tom’s words, whereas a phrase like ‘uneasy in the knowledge that this happening made some difference to him’ is unlikely to be the word-for-word thoughts of a child. Some of the questions (‘had it really struck thirteen?’ and ‘Had he not been falling asleep, or already sleeping?) seem more likely to come from Tom’s mind than the narrator’s, but they could also be questions the narrator is asking the reader.

What did you think the effect of this narration style is? Towards the end, you may have noticed that there is a sense that something magical is about to happen: when the narrator tells us that ‘the house seemed to hold its breath’ it could just be to Tom that this seemed the case, but because this is unclear, it’s possible that something more magical really is occurring, and this isn’t just Tom’s interpretation. When the narrator tells us that ‘the darkness pressed up to him’ this could be Tom’s thoughts, but it’s also possible that the narrator is describing literal fantastic events. The narrator even uses direct speech to describe what the darkness asks him, which gives the impression that this question is not merely something Tom is imagining. The result is that we not only get insight into what Tom is thinking and feeling, but the confusion between his thoughts and the more objective account from the narrator heightens the sense of magic. This isn’t just in Tom’s imagination: something incredible is about to happen!

Tom does of course use this extra hour of freedom to leave his bed, and discovers that the back door by the Grandfather clock no longer opens onto a tiny, walled-in courtyard but a huge and beautiful garden (the ‘midnight garden’ of the title). As both Tom’s Midnight Garden and Marianne Dreams continue, the lives of the protagonists are split between the mundane and restricted lives they lead during the day and the unsupervised (and sometimes dangerous) fantasy worlds of the midnight garden and Marianne’s dreams.

Resources teachers, parents and learners can use!

Lesson Plan: Grade 11 Additional Language – direct and indirect speech

Lesson plan title: grade 11 additional language: direct and indirect speech, materials needed:.

Textbook with examples of direct and indirect speech
Whiteboard and markers
Projector and screen or interactive whiteboard
Printed handouts with practice exercises
Laptops or tablets (if available) for online practice
Flashcards with sentences for quick conversion practice

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Distinguish between direct and indirect speech. 2. Convert sentences from direct to indirect speech accurately and vice versa. 3. Apply the rules of tense changes and pronoun shifts when converting from direct to indirect speech. 4. Use reporting verbs correctly in sentences. 5. Demonstrate understanding through written and oral exercises.

Vocabulary:

Direct Speech : Quoting someone’s exact words.
Indirect Speech : Paraphrasing someone’s words.
Reporting Verb : The verb used to report what someone has said (e.g., said, told).
Tense Shift : Changes in verb tense when converting speech (e.g., present to past).
Pronoun Shift : Changes in pronouns to fit indirect speech (e.g., I to he/she).

Previous Learning:

In previous lessons, students have learned about sentence structure and basic tense usage, which are foundational for understanding direct and indirect speech.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:

Confusion with Tense Changes : Provide a clear chart summarizing rules for tense changes and display it prominently during instruction.
Pronoun Shifts : Use consistent examples and targeted practice exercises focusing on this aspect, reinforcing them with peer discussions.

Beginning Activities (10% – 6 minutes):

Introduction (3 mins) : Briefly introduce the topic by clearly defining direct and indirect speech and stating the learning objectives. Use an engaging and accessible example to capture student interest.
Activating Prior Knowledge (3 mins) : Prompt students to recall and share personal experiences related to reporting someone else’s words. Write an example on the board to visualize their contributions.

Middle Activities (80% – 48 minutes):

Direct Instruction (8 mins) : Clearly explain the rules for converting direct speech into indirect speech, detailing the essential components such as tense changes, pronoun shifts, and the use of reporting verbs. Provide illustrative examples on the whiteboard.

Guided Practice (15 mins) :

Work through several examples as a class to convert direct to indirect speech and vice versa using flashcards for interactive practice.
Discuss common reporting verbs and their applications, ensuring to mention cultural variations in usage when relevant.
Divide students into small, diverse groups, ensuring a mix of abilities. Provide each group with a set of sentences to convert from direct to indirect speech, promoting collaborative problem-solving.
Facilitate movement among groups to provide personalized support and clarification as needed.
Distribute worksheets featuring a variety of direct and indirect speech sentences. Instruct students to convert the sentences independently while applying the discussed rules.
Monitor their progress closely during this time and provide immediate feedback.
If resources permit, have students use laptops/tablets to engage in an online quiz or game focused on direct and indirect speech. Alternatively, suggest printable quizzes for those without technology access.

End Activities (10% – 6 minutes):

Consolidation (3 mins) : Recap the main learning points of the lesson. Encourage several students to volunteer their converted sentences to foster peer learning and reinforcement.

Exit Ticket (3 mins) : Ask students to write one direct speech sentence along with its indirect speech conversion on a slip of paper for submission as they exit the classroom. This acts as a formative assessment of their learning.

Assessment and Checks for Understanding:

Monitor student participation in group activities and during direct instruction to gauge understanding.
Evaluate worksheets for accuracy in conversions and adherence to rules.
Review exit tickets to assess individual comprehension and identify common misconceptions.

Differentiation Strategies:

Struggling Learners : Offer additional one-on-one support during independent practice, using visual aids and simplified handouts. Provide a tiered worksheet approach to match varied learning levels.
Advanced Learners : Challenge with complex sentences that feature multiple clauses for conversion and encourage exploration of more nuanced reporting speech forms, perhaps by finding additional examples from literature.

Teaching Notes:

Emphasize the significance of context when selecting appropriate reporting verbs.
Promote peer teaching as a strategy to reinforce understanding and create a collaborative learning environment.
Incorporate culturally relevant examples in the sentences used for practice, ensuring engagement and connection to students’ experiences.

Cross-Curricular Integration:

Link to literature by applying dialogue from a novel or play currently being studied in class.
Integrate with history by analyzing historical figures’ speeches, converting them into indirect speech.

Inclusive Education:

Provide materials in multiple formats, incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements to support diverse learning needs.
Foster a classroom culture that encourages all students to participate, including creating opportunities for peer support, such as a buddy system.

Formative Assessment:

Employ strategic questioning during the direct instruction phase to check for understanding.
Conduct frequent check-ins with groups during activities to address misconceptions in real-time.
Utilize exit tickets as a concise formative assessment tool to highlight successful understanding and areas needing attention for future lessons.

online exercises for direct and indirect speech

IMAGES

VIDEO

COMMENTS

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercise

Search Articles

Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

How It Works:

Quiz: Exploring Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Q: Is the quiz suitable for beginners?

Q: How long does the quiz take to complete?

Q: Is there a time limit for each question?

Q: Can I retake the quiz?

Conclusion:

Related Posts:

Direct vs. Indirect Speech Quiz

Direct And Indirect Speech Quiz: Test Your Skills

Direct And Indirect Speech Questions and Answers

What would the indirect speech be: Martin said, "I work here every day."?

What would the indirect speech be: Monica said, "I have finished my homework."?

What would the indirect speech be: My daughter said to me, "I can sleep alone."?

What would the indirect speech be: Leo said, "My friend may come tonight."?

What would the indirect speech be: Jullie said to me, "I have to win this game."?

What would the indirect speech be: He said, "I am a man."?

What would the indirect speech be: Mary said, "I am coming here."?

What would the indirect speech be: My brother said, "I went to school yesterday."?

What would the indirect speech be: Mathew said, "I will go to school next year."?

Direct and indirect speech exercises

Direct Speech

Indirect Speech

Using ‘say’ or ‘tell’

Changing Time Expressions

Reporting Questions

Reporting Orders and Requests

Get in touch

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

Exercise 1: Change into indirect speech

Answers –

Convert the following into Direct Speech

Frequently Asked Questions

What is indirect speech?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Direct and indirect speech exercises PDF

Direct and indirect speech exercises

Direct + indirect speech

Reported Speech – Free Exercise

Direct and Indirect Exercises With Answers

Direct and Indirect Exercises

Direct And Indirect Speech Complete Rules

How to Check Your Grammar Mistakes in an Essay – 8 Best Tools

Direct and Indirect Exercises With Answers – The Answers

Share this:

Related posts

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

9+ Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises (with Answers) for Practice

This Blog Includes:

4 Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

5+ Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

Amanpreet Kaur

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Connect With Us

Need help with?

Country Preference

Which English test are you planning to take?

When are you planning to take the exam?

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

What is your budget to study abroad?

Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises

1) Put the Sentences in the Correct Order – Direct and Indirect Speech

b) ' / he / I / am / me, / working / tomorrow. / ' / told

b) He said that he don't likes pizza.

b) She told me she wxxxed to xxxxt Paris next summer.

b) 'I am feeling sick,' she said. ( How... )

Related Posts

4 English Simple Present Exercises

English Subject Pronoun Exercises

4 English Simple Past Exercises

4 English Plural Exercises

English Adverbs of Place Exercises

4 English Simple Future Exercises